Mothers-in-law important for integration of migrants, says report

Mothers-in-law and Esol (English for speakers of other languages) teachers are critical to the integration of newly arrived South Asian Muslim women in Britain, according to newly published research.

The women who come to the UK on spousal and family reunion visas tend to live with their husband in their parents-in-laws’ house and spend most of their time with their mother-in-law looking after the home, cooking and providing support to the husband’s family. The mother-in-law wields considerable influence over their lives.